Iodine is an essential nutrient. Are you getting enough?
When I was a student in Sheila Skeaff’s nutrition class we measured our iodine status and I was shocked by my results! It turns out that it’s quite hard to have an adequate iodine intake without regularly eating from this tiny range of iodine rich foods: kai moana - foods from the sea are naturally rich sources such as fish, shellfish, sea vegetables or milk and eggs.
Sources of Iodine: Kai Moana - Foods from the Sea are the best and most naturally rich sources.
Fish, Shellfish and Sea Vegetables such as kelp, wakame, Karengo, Kelp/Sea Salt Mixtures. Sushi, Nori and Furiyaki, try the recipe and add Iodine Rice Sparkle to your Sprinkles.
Eggs and Milk (their feed contains iodine)
Store bought bread is fortified with iodised salt.
The iodine content of our food is influenced by the iodine status of the soils they are grown in. Here in New Zealand our soils are really low in iodine, a trace element that is essential in tiny quantities for brain development and thyroid hormone production. Iodine is necessary for the developing brain and so it is particularly important that pregnant women and children have adequate intakes.
In the 1920’s iodised salt was introduced in New Zealand to prevent iodine deficiency and goitre (an enlarged thyroid gland) was very common. Iodised salt and the use of iodine in the dairy industry corrected this deficiency. We don’t usually see people with pronounced goitre these days however, our locally grown foods are unable to provide us with adequate iodine so it is important to make sure we are making iodine rich foods part of our regular diet. Another handy option is that we can add iodised salt to our cooking.
As a population, we have shifted towards using less salt, buying processed/pre-made foods and there are many types of salt for sale. Because of this iodine status has been observed to be suboptimal in some groups.
Numerous Studies in pregnant women and school aged children show mild to moderate iodine deficiency. And just to give some perspective, it is the main cause of cognitive damage in childhood - it is so easily preventable! A study here in New Zealand showed that correcting mild iodine deficiency in improved problem solving in 10-13 year olds children.
If you aren’t eating kai moana or the other iodine rich foods daily then using iodised salt makes a difference to your iodine status. If you are baking your own breads - you could also consider them as a vehicle to ensure an adequate and regular iodine intake. If you don’t like the fine iodised salt which contains an anti-caking agent, you can also purchase iodised natural sea salt from the Mrs Rogers brand at the supermarket.
Preparing a mix such as Furiyaki is a great way to add some iodine sparkle to your sprinkle